…thoughts, memories, and ideas from a lifetime of reading

Last Year’s Words

For last year’s words belong to last year’s language And next year’s words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.

~ T.S. Eliot

2015 was an enjoyable reading year for me. I was a consistent reader in 2015, which is joyful for me after numerous years of inconsistency. Reading has always been my baseline … no matter what was going on in my life, reading was always happening. Happily, I returned to that sense of normalcy and enjoyed always having at least one book underway. One book, one audiobook, one Kindle book, one library book … often all of them at the same time!

I read 65 books in 2015. (Please visit me on Goodreads to see the complete list.) Which was my favorite book of the year out of the 65? Interestingly, it was the last book I read, just finishing it yesterday morning. I love the Maisie Dobbs series, by Jacqueline Winspear, and her last book, A Dangerous Place, was, in my opinion, her best yet. I love the emotional honesty that is at the core of every Winspear book, and I enjoy the stories and puzzles that the wonderful character, Maisie, must work through.

My second favorite book of the year was Marta McDowell’s lovely study of Emily Dickinson’s Gardens. Combining my love of poetry and of gardening, this book was just a pleasure for me to read. I will definitely be reading more of Marta McDowell’s books on gardens this year!

As I reflect on my 2015 reading, the quote above by T.S. Eliot seems particularly appropriate. The books I read in 2015 belong to last year’s language. I’m so looking forward to discovering another voice, the new voice of next year’s words, in my reading in 2016!

Thanks, Pat. I agree…I definitely enjoyed what I read in 2015, and that’s what matters. I still struggle with thinking I should be reviewing all my books read, (the old guilt trap) but I’m enjoying the freedom of reading for pure enjoyment and writing less often.

Kellie, I do enjoy WInspear’s books, especially as audiobooks, although I’ve had The Care and Management of Lies (not one of her Maisie Dobbs books), on my Kindle for a long time now but still haven’t read it. I’m going to be working on my TBR pile this year, too! It’s ridiculous how tall it is!

Thanks, Kay. It was a very nice reading year, and I’m already enjoying my 2016 reading! We’ve had a snowy, very cold long weekend here, so I’ve been reading and reading. A lovely weekend! Happy New Year to you, too, and happy reading!